NOMOS SWING SYSTEM
The Nomos Swing system is perhaps the least revolutionary of the escapements,
as the term ‘swing system’ is not a type of escapement, it is merely the Nomos
terminology for their in-house escapement. Put simply, the Nomos swing
system is a lever escapement. What sets the swing system apart though is the
manufacturing process, as Nomos produce it in-house, as they do the rest of
the movement.
The swing system gives Nomos more autonomy, being able to do away with
traditional escapement suppliers to the watchmaking industry, which are few
and far between.
Is Nomos reinventing the wheel? No, but nor are they pretending to. They are
manufacturing their own quality version of a centuries-old invention that worked
in 1754 and works today, and they are doing it well. The can control production,
cost and quality which ultimately means a better product for the end consumer.
ROLEX CHRONERGY
The Rolex Chronergy escapement is one of the many features unveiled in the
new 32xx family of movements. The Chronergy is an adapted version of the
lever escapement and it is designed to be more efficient and increase accuracy.
The first area Rolex addressed was the weight. Rolex has opted for a pierced
style of escape wheel, meaning excess material from the inside of the teeth
and body of the wheel has been removed, which will reduce inertia and allow
more efficiency.
The second area tackled was the geometry as the lever escapement has a
very specific layout. They all generally look similar. Rolex decided to change
that layout and structure when developing the Chronergy.
Rolex has halved the thickness of the pallet stones and doubled the escape
wheel teeth, which makes for an interesting-looking escapement indeed. The
effect this has on actual performance is non quantifiable with the knowledge
that Rolex has made public, but it is true that oil drag will be reduced by decreas-
ing the stone thickness.
The Chronergy is offset, which means the pallet fork is no longer manufactured
at a traditional 90-degree angle. Without studying the in-depth mathematical
aspects we cannot know exactly how this performance increase is achieved,
but a company like Rolex doesn’t do things for the sake of it. We can rest assured
the reasons were well founded.
Having personally trained on the new Chronergy escapement I can say that
it is a beautiful piece of horological engineering and a step forward for Rolex.
FALL 2018 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 97